Mixologist: Denise La Pointe of High-Beck Tavern

Wednesday

May 20, 2009 at 12:01 AMSep 29, 2009 at 7:31 PM

Denise La Pointe is kind of like Superman. After she finishes flying around High-Beck Tavern serving drinks, La Pointe changes into her mild-mannered alter ego and goes to nearby law offices to provide billing services.

Neighborhood: Downtown

Hometown: Traverse City, Michigan

Years behind the bar: 13

Denise La Pointe is kind of like Superman. After she finishes flying around High-Beck Tavern serving drinks, La Pointe changes into her mild-mannered alter ego and goes to nearby law offices to provide billing services. Her not-so-secret transition between two work environments isn't as stark as one might imagine. "Depending on the day, I would say 80 percent of the people at [the bar's] happy hour are attorneys," she said.

Why do lawyers, and others, like returning to the bar?

I think it's unpretentious and just completely laid-back - it's very real. You're not going to get special treatment because you're an attorney, judge or anything else. You're treated just like anybody else. I don't know if the attorneys appreciate that, but everybody else does [laughs].

Do you enjoy your unusual work schedule?

I like it. I get to set my own schedule so I can come and go as I please. It's a great blend because I don't want to do office work full-time, but I also don't want to bartend full-time.

How did you get into bartending?

I got started at Dalt's. When I was growing up in Worthington Hills it was the only place to go and it was, like, the cool place. I hosted first, then I waited tables, then I worked my way up to bartender - rigorous training program, and I'm not kidding.

What is it about High-Beck that's kept you there for 12 years?

The regulars. The people that come in here are really interesting; you've got a good mix usually.

Being from Michigan, what do you think of the Ohio rivalries?

I don't think the [OSU] rivalry is as big of a deal there. If I go back to Michigan and I'm wearing an Ohio State sweatshirt, nobody is going to say anything. I grew up a Red Wings fan, but I'm a Blue Jackets person now, so I'm OK [laughs].

What do you do for fun?

Pretty much anything outdoors, I like to be active. I'm very excited that I'm on a volleyball team finally. Weekends, I probably take my dog for a walk, maybe grab a couple drinks, wander around Downtown and the Short North - in the daytime, I'm not a nighttime person anymore.